In this Season 2 finale, host Jahmi Roc (Racquel Bernard) interviews guest Jheanelle Brown, exploring the intersection of Jamaican identity, diaspora, and reggae music. They candidly discuss the complexities of claiming "Jamerican" identity, examining how reggae shapes understandings of Blackness and home for Jamaicans living abroad. Jheanelle reflects on reggae's political power—referencing Mutabaruka in Sankofa—while sharing personal memories of a Desmond Dekker album and passing down culture through Miss Lou's poetry and The Harder They Come soundtrack to the next generation. The conversation touches on Jheanelle's family members actively bridging generations through reggae performance, the reductive stereotypes that flatten the genre's depth, and even K-pop's surprising connections to reggae riddims. Ultimately, Jahmi Roc guides a thoughtful dialogue encouraging diaspora members to learn reggae's history, resist performative identity, and embrace its roots in global Black resistance.

Jahmi Roc a.k.a. Racquel Bernard hosts Empress Truth a.k.a. Dr. Truth Akins, discussing her "Eight Degrees of Yes" concept, which outlines personal growth stages from overcoming suicide to spiritual enlightenment. Dr. Akins shares her transformative experiences, including a spiritual encounter at age seven and her journey through family, relationships, and career. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and community in healing. The conversation also covers the integration of prayer, meditation, and music in her work, including the "Rock and Flow" practice. Dr. Akins envisions a curriculum based on her book to help youth and formerly incarcerated individuals find hope and healing.

Racquel Bernard hosts Dr. Truth Akins, also known as Empress Truth, on her podcast. Dr. Akins discusses her journey in prison education, her doctorate in education, and her focus on healing and transformation through music, particularly reggae. She highlights her album "Fulfillment of Prophecy" and the collective hope experienced in performances, such as at the Juju Social Club in Los Angeles. Dr. Akins also explores the evolution of her spiritual practice, drawing from Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Rastafari, and introduces her book Eight Degrees of Yes, which outlines a spiritual journey of saying "yes" to life.

Racquel Bernard, also known as Jahmi Roc, interviewed Queen Theresa King, a political influencer and community leader. Queen Theresa shared her journey in music, starting at age five, and her involvement with the United Nations and UNESCO. She discussed her passion for community service, including her work with fire departments and her own warehouse. Queen Theresa highlighted her role in organizing Bob Marley Day in Long Beach and her efforts to empower women and youth. She emphasized the spiritual and empowering nature of reggae music and its role in social change. Queen Theresa also offered advice to emerging artists, stressing self-belief and constructive criticism.

This episode begins with DJ Papalotl asking Jahmi Roc (a.k.a. Racquel Bernard) about her journey of creating this podcast. Racquel explained that she started Jahmi Roc's Jottings to help her prepare for and eventually pass her PhD special field exams. Jahmi Roc then interviews DJ Papalotl, who shares her background in music, including her experiences as a DJ and her work with various cultural and community groups. They discuss the impact of music on youth, particularly the commodification and violent themes in hip hop. DJ Papalotl also reflects on her teaching career and how it intersects with her DJ work, emphasizing the importance of connecting music with social justice and community empowerment.

In Season 2, Episode 11 of Jahmi Roc’s Jottings, Shelby Mott and Racquel Bernard explore empowerment through reggae, spirituality, and cosmic awareness. They connect legendary artists such as Bob, Rita, and Damian Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mott, Sean Paul, Tanya Stephens, Queen Ifrica, and others to their galactic signatures, revealing how each embodies energies of creativity, resilience, and leadership. Through cosmic science, music, and ancestral reverence, the hosts highlight reggae as both a spiritual and artistic force for healing and unity. Blending personal reflection, intuition, and collaboration, Shelby and Racquel celebrate the timeless connection between sound, soul, and the universe.

The episode explores the modern Reggae Revival movement in Jamaica, weaving together scholarship from Kezia Page, Alexandria Miller, Louis Chude-Sokei, and Kwame Dawes. It highlights how the Reggae Revival is both a social and artistic movement responding to current Jamaican crises, blending Rastafarian spirituality, community activism, and conscious artistry to imagine new futures for the culture. Special emphasis is given to the rise of female artists—what Alexandria Miller calls the "Lioness Order"—who have challenged longstanding patriarchal norms and redefined both reggae and Caribbean womanhood. Through the lens of class, gender, and history, the discussion shows how today’s musicians straddle old roots reggae, gritty dancehall, and a globalized sound system culture, using music as a platform for resistance, social commentary, and profound identity transformation, all while connecting tradition with innovation for a dynamic Jamaican future.

In Season 2, Episode 9 of Jahmi Roc's Jottings, host Racquel Bernard and guest Nikkita "Nuclear Blackness" discuss songs responding to hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025. They analyze tracks like "Wild Gilbert" by Lovindeer, "Jamaica Hurricane" by Lord Beginner, and "Hurricane" by Chronixx, highlighting themes of resilience, humor, and community support. They also discuss "Adios Irma" by Mr. Vegas and "Rise Again" by various artists, emphasizing the Jamaican spirit of overcoming disasters and the importance of mutual aid and hope.

Donate to help relief efforts here: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/